Mental health issues affect the majority of women

According to a recent report, approximately three out of five women and girls have experienced poor mental health.

A study conducted by the charity Platform 51, formally YWCA has led to a review of treatment on offer to women who are experiencing low-level poor mental health.

Around a quarter of those who were found to be affected by poor mental health said they had taken at least a week off work on sick leave.

Chief executive of Platform 51, Penny Newman stressed that this new culture of dependency which we have now means that doctors are too quick to hand out prescription drugs to treat mental health issues instead of giving women a choice about what help they receive. She also said that many of the girls facing mental health problems are telling Platform 51 that they are not getting the help they need.

Of the women and girls surveyed aged 12 and above, 63 per cent had experienced poor mental health and 32 per cent of the women had taken anti depressants.

“We must put an end to the dependency culture that has built up around prescription drugs, giving women more choice and control over the support they receive.” She said.

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity Sane agrees that more treatment options should be readily available. “This is why it is important that people do not suffer in silence but seek out help, as we and others offer, which involves understanding and counselling, and only when especially indicated, prescriptions for medication.’ She said.
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